The rivalry between the "Point God" and his former franchise just took its pettiest turn yet. Following the LA Clippers' heartbreaking elimination from the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night, Chris Paul didn't waste a second rubbing salt into the fresh wounds of his former team. As the final buzzer sounded at the Intuit Dome, marking a 126-121 victory for the Golden State Warriors, Paul took to social media to deliver a message that left no room for interpretation.
The Post Heard Round the NBA: Chris Paul Trolls the Clippers
Moments after the Clippers' season officially ended, Chris Paul posted the infamous "Big Fendi" funeral meme to his Instagram story. The image, which has become a staple of internet culture, depicts a man posing triumphantly at a gravesite. While Paul didn't include a caption, the context was crystal clear to basketball fans everywhere: he was celebrating the downfall of the organization that unceremoniously cut him loose earlier this season.
The post immediately went viral, amassing thousands of shares across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. For Paul, who is currently retired after a brief stint with the Toronto Raptors following his mid-season trade from Los Angeles, it was a moment of pure vindication. The veteran point guard has reportedly harbored significant resentment toward the Clippers' front office and coaching staff since his departure in December 2025.
A Fourth-Quarter Collapse at the Intuit Dome
The trolling was made all the more painful by the manner in which the Clippers lost. Hosting the Golden State Warriors in a do-or-die scenario, Los Angeles seemed to have the game firmly in control. Led by Kawhi Leonard, who finished the season averaging 27.9 points per game, the Clippers held a commanding 13-point lead with just nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
However, the wheels completely fell off in the closing stages. Stephen Curry reminded the world of his championship pedigree, exploding for 27 of his 35 points in the second half. The Warriors closed the game on a devastating 16-6 run, fueled by Curry's seventh three-pointer of the night with only 50.4 seconds left on the clock. The Clippers' defense, which had been stout for three quarters, had no answer for the Warriors' late-game surge, resulting in a 126-121 final score that sent the home crowd into a stunned silence.
The History of Friction: Why Chris Paul Targeted the Clippers
To understand the depth of Paul's social media jab, one must look back at the tumultuous 2025-26 season. Paul had returned to the LA Clippers for what was billed as his "farewell tour," hoping to finish his Hall of Fame career where he helped ignite the "Lob City" era. Instead, the reunion turned toxic almost immediately.
After the team stumbled to a franchise-worst 5-16 start, reports surfaced of heated confrontations between Paul and head coach Tyronn Lue. In a move that shocked the league, the Clippers sent Paul home in early December, eventually trading him to the Toronto Raptors at the February deadline. The Raptors subsequently waived the veteran, leading to his retirement. While the Clippers managed a historic turnaround after Paul's departure—becoming the first team in NBA history to finish with a winning record after being 15 games below .500—the sting of the initial breakup clearly remains for the legendary guard.
What’s Next for the Clippers and the Warriors?
With the loss, the Clippers head into an uncertain offseason. Kawhi Leonard, who was held scoreless in the fourth quarter until the final 16 seconds of Wednesday's game, faces questions about his future with the team as he enters the final year of his contract. The franchise must now reconcile a season that saw both the lowest of lows and a resilient climb back into the playoff picture, only to end in a familiar postseason disappointment.
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors move on to face the Phoenix Suns in the final leg of the play-in tournament. For Chris Paul, the retirement life appears to suit him just fine, especially when it involves watching his former rivals fall short on the biggest stage. Whether this is the final chapter in the CP3 vs. Clippers saga remains to be seen, but for one night, the "Point God" certainly got the last laugh.
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